Growing Cauliflower

brassica oleracea var. botrytus botrytus : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S              
        T T T          

(Best months for growing Cauliflower in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-22 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

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30 Jun 08, K Harrison (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I have successfully grown a few Cauliflowers but have noticed that all the separate plants are growing all to a different length and I have also tried breaking off the leaves and draping them across the cores but they have all started going from brown to dark green and are not looking real good despite a great organic cow fertilizer soup, I would have thought that they would all grow to one big core, has anyone got any great idea's
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22 Jan 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can crack the leaf stems and fold the leaves over the curd to reduce discolouring.
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Showing 161 - 162 of 162 comments
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Read all the notes here about growing it. Doesn't like frosts - doesn't like hot days, doesn't like really rich soil. Caulies and cabbage take a lot of care to grow to the seedling stage.If growing seeds, need a good controlled environment - temperature and watering. Undercover means out of the sun and heat. You are starting them in hot/warm weather to transplant when the weather is a bit cooler and grow as the weather goes into winter. When you transplant it is best to have soil around the roots if possible, do it late in the afternoon and put some protection over them - shade for a week or so, water morning and night - only need a light watering. Little plants have small root system so need watering more often. Big plants - bigger watering less often. (Under cover also means protected from frosts- Liz)

- Mike

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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